Written by Randi Tubbs
Fashion trends weave in and out of our everyday lives, and before you know it the thought of your once favorite cheetah print leggings makes you gag. What was once seen as exotic and lavish is now seen (oftentimes) in bad taste. Hunting camo, much like animal prints at their prime, is a pattern on the rise. My question to the trend minions: Will your favorite hunting camo cargo pants become your (ex) favorite cheetah leggings?
At its genesis, animal print was made from real animal skins. Animals were killed to create warm coats and man cave rugs. Animals were sought out and plunged to extinction, all for the clout associated with the fad. My question to the modern thinkers: What are you sacrificing for fleeting trends?
What makes fashion tasteful? I suppose it is up to the creator. However, at what point does one differentiate creating fashion they love from creating fashion that other people will love?
Animal print was once associated with wealth and status. If you bought animal print, you aimed for a specific look. Hunting camo was at a time associated with hunters and gatherers. Wearing RealTree merchandise meant you had pride in your great United States and would hold up a deer head to prove it. The print has morphed into a too-cool-for-school essential. You want to look grunge and cool without even trying? Hunting camo. There are rips and tears? Even better! My question to the hunting camo disciples: When you buy hunting camo, do you actually like it?
I sympathize with you. Just yesterday I wore hunting camo shorts purchased from the Goodwill bins to sleep. Just a couple weeks ago I wore an oversized hunting camo sweatshirt with a crochet appliquè. Participating in fashion trends is no bad thing. I find trend hopping as fun as the next girl! But I also anticipate cringing at my hunting camo years (maybe months) from now as it returns to the racks of Goodwill knowing it wasn’t used to hunt once.
The desire to be like a group of people that you admire is an inevitable human experience. Duck Dynasty is a class choice! Just make sure you aren’t participating in something you don’t believe in. And (please) don’t bring back animal print.
